Take action: protest 2016 fare rise & support public ownership

Rail fares are rising again, yet the cost of living doesn’t get any cheaper. In January 2016 passengers will be asked to pay out even more for their rail fares. Passengers and taxpayers are paying a high price for the failures of rail privatisation.

Support our protest in August for an affordable railway under public ownership!

On 18 August the inflation figure used to calculate increases in regulated fares, like Season tickets and Anytime Day tickets, will be announced. The new fare prices will come into force in January 2016 and, even though the government has capped fares at the level of inflation, the rise will still add to pressures on the cost of living.

We have the highest commuter fares in Europe, yet services are often overcrowded, late and under-staffed. The rail network is vital to our economy and the environment, but there has been little investment from private train companies. Most investment comes from taxpayers, and in 2013/14 this was £3.8bn. Meanwhile, private train companies paid out £183m in shareholder dividends.

August 18 protests

To mark the date, on August 18 we are holding a protest at London Waterloo station, outside Exit 5, ‘Victory Arch’ from 7:15am to 9.30am, with a media photo opportunity at 8am. We will be protesting the fare rise and calling for an affordable railway under public ownership.

We will also be asking supporters to write to or email their MPs, watch this space for an online tool coming soon.

Community groups and rail campaigners are also holding more protests across England and Scotland. Please see below and join along!

About The Author

Sharon sukhram

Sharon is a Policy Officer in the TUC's Organisation and Services Department, where she covers issues around public services and transport, including the TUC's involvement in the Action For Rail campaign and Speak Up For Justice campaign.